@nadinekieftjewelry shows how she uses a diamond drill bit in her flex shaft to carve earrings directly in metal instead of wax.

A tip from @seekerjewellery: cut up rubber kitchen gloves to protect your nails while polishing jewelry.

A tip from @seattlefindings: notch the spot where an ear post sits using a drill bit in a pin vise for a stronger, straighter joint.

See how @imperfect_jewelry experiments with casting leaves, plus the idea of casting a folded paper crane.

Inspired by @sunlightsilver, a look at favorite flex shaft mandrels including the 3M radial polishing discs used since college.

See how @williamwhitejewelry solders two identical ovals to a ring, then cuts them open to create prongs for a stone setting.

A tip from @marymaryhandmade: screw a piece of wax onto a mandrel in your flex shaft to turn it without a lathe.

@mollyavellarjewelry shares the custom signature stamp she uses to mark her jewelry, an alternative to metal identification stamps.

@hnossdesign explains laminating 18k gold over sterling silver by sweat soldering with a torch, plus tips on solder choice and gold scrap.

A tip from @n0place: dust your wax with baby powder to get an idea of what the carving looks like as you work.

See how @calabasasjewelry holds a ring in a table vise with wood pieces that protect the metal from scratches while setting a stone.

Inspired by @thistlesilverdesigns, learn how to store solder types in small stackable plastic organizers labeled by type to save bench space.

2,368 Tips From The Community